San Diego County Biographies
ROBERT W. BOLLEN
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
The Murrietta Postmaster and merchant, was born in Lockbridge County, Virginia,
October 11, 1824. His father, Edward Bollen, and his grandfather were residents
of Rockingham County, but the family originally came from England. His
grandfather and two of his brothers were in the war of the Revolution. They
were at the battle of Fort Meigs when the English undertook to cross the ditch
in front of the fort but were repulsed. Mr. Bollen's mother was Polly (Beaty)
Bollen. They had a family of ten children, of whom Mr. Bollen was the youngest.
Three terms of school of three months each was the extent of his educational
advantages. When twenty years of age he acquired the carpenters' trade and also
some knowledge of the blacksmiths' trade. In 1847 he enlisted in Company F,
Third Regiment,Missouri Mounted Volunteers, and was a participant in the war with
Mexico. He took part in the battle of Santa Cruz, March 16, 1848. He enlisted as
Fourth Corporal and was promoted to Third Sergeant when mustered out. He returned
to Virginia, and after two years spent there, he married Miss Sarah Ellen Chevrout,
a native of Harrison County, Virginia, who was born January 1, 1838. They moved
to Iowa, where he engaged in the wagon manufacturing business. Here he was
constable and deputy sheriff during the greater part of his stay. In the spring
of 1860 he started for Nevada, but the Indians became so troublesome they were
obliged to stop at Salt Lake City to winter. While there he took charge of a
furniture manufactory and remained two years. In Nevada he did quite an
extensive carpenter and wagon-making business. In 1867 he removed to Genoa,
Douglas County, Nevada, and dealt in all kinds of wood-work. In 1869 he was
elected Sheriff of the county, which office he held for four years, at the end
of which time his health failed and he got a position in the mint in Carson
City, first as watch, and afterward captain of the watch. In the year 1885 he
removed with his family to Murrietta, California, while it was still in its
infancy. He purchased twenty acres of land and built a house and made
improvements, planting trees, grapes and shrubbery. He assisted in organizing
the Methodist Church, and was one of its first members. He has had thirteen
children, but six of whom are living: Eliza Sapronia, born in Lewis County,
Virginia, January 8, 1855, and married to Mr. J. H. McCormic. They now reside in
Murrietta; Virginia Elizabeth, born February 2, 1858, in Iowa, and married to
Mr. J. H. Langley; Sada E., born in Salt Lake City, June 20, 1861; George W.,
born in Douglas County, Nevada, November 9, 1871, and J. W., born April 20,
1876, in Carson City. Mr. Bollen was elected Justice of the Peace, but resigned
that office when he was appointed Postmaster. He keeps a store (dry goods, boots
and shoes and notions) and also continues his wagon business. He is a member of
the pioneer society of Virginia City, having come to California in 1850. He is
also a leading thirty-second degree Mason and a good citizen.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties
of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower
California� Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 297